Mazda 3 vs. Cruze LS

[cliphton15]

Hi guys

Just wanna seek help am planning to buy car on April and am having doubt if it is Mazda 3 1.6 S or the Cruze 1.8 LS variant?
Hope somebody help me thanks..

[marlboro2000]

Hi guys

Just wanna seek help am planning to buy car on April and am having doubt if it is Mazda 3 1.6 S or the Cruze 1.8 LS variant?
Hope somebody help me thanks..

Test drive both cars and also check the following:

1. Price
2. Accessories
3. Freebies
4. Read forums on both cars to give you an idea on features/problems etc.

At the end of the day, follow your heart kung ano ba sa tingin mo ang nagustuhan mo.

Goodluck brad!

[k00k]

In addition to marlboro's solid tips/suggestions, also consider that the current mazda 3 is an outgoing model. The Cruze has been in the market for less than a year. What does this mean for you as a buyer?

The current Mazda 3 remains a solid compact, and if you're not really after driving "the latest and greatest", you might get some good deals on the the current Mazda3, like zero-interest rates, discounts, and generous freebies. This alone can save you lots of money. If you want the new Mazda, it may or may not be released this year. I think other ASEAN countries are about to get the smiling-face RHD Mazda3 this year, so chances are, we'll get it soon, too.

On the other hand, the Cruze is an excellent, updated world car. Its essentially the same compact sold in other places, so you're guaranteed cutting-edge sya and globally competitive. Compliant with strict international standards and regulations, too. In Top Gear PH's comparo between the Civic and Cruze, only the Civic's better engine and transmission saved it from the well-rounded and equipped Cruze.

[jhnkvn]

Both choices are hard since I don't to pick between the two of them at the moment. I strongly suggest you broaden your picks to the likes of Lancer EX

My daily drive (until today since meron na akong bagong tsikot coming) is my sister's Mazda 3 1.6. It's not built for speed runs as you will really feel the weight problem of the M3 on the 1.6L. You need to rev it way past 4000RPM at 2nd gear before you "properly" get moving.

Interior refinement is still top notch. And that's a very good compliment if you take its age (2004) into the equation. Rear seats are cramped. Don't expect to ferry anybody above 5"10 here unless you want to punish him.

Driving fun.. is bar none the best among its peers. It's very hard to quantify why it is fun when it has its downsides but at the end of the day, I'm still enduring its firm suspension on Metro Manila roads rather than opting to drive a Camry

The Cruze still needs more "merits" before I even start considering it. The petrol engine is underpowered even if it has 1800cc of displacement. This is because those "toys" like airbags, safety alphabet gizmos (ABS, SRS, etc. you get the idea) makes as if you're transporting an additional person everytime.

Don't be fooled by the 6-speed automatic. Honda's tranny is WAY smoother and better.

Interior refinement is up to par. But I'd give it a bit more time before saying whether it'll age gracefully. However, one of its biggest pluses is NVH insulation. Something the Mazda 3 lacks and the Cruze has. Like its namesake, it's meant for "cruising". It's no fun to drive but it'll take you from point A to point B comfortably. But, there's the Toyota Corolla Altis does everything the Cruze does and is better at doing it save for the face and the toys.

Given the choices, I'll go for a Jazz 1.5, a Civic 1.8, and at LS territory, the EX GLS which the engine alone makes owning one worthwhile. Interior sucks unless you're getting the MX or GT-A.

[drich_enriquez]

Both choices are hard since I don't to pick between the two of them at the moment. I strongly suggest you broaden your picks to the likes of Lancer EX

My daily drive (until today since meron na akong bagong tsikot coming) is my sister's Mazda 3 1.6. It's not built for speed runs as you will really feel the weight problem of the M3 on the 1.6L. You need to rev it way past 4000RPM at 2nd gear before you "properly" get moving.

Interior refinement is still top notch. And that's a very good compliment if you take its age (2004) into the equation. Rear seats are cramped. Don't expect to ferry anybody above 5"10 here unless you want to punish him.

Driving fun.. is bar none the best among its peers. It's very hard to quantify why it is fun when it has its downsides but at the end of the day, I'm still enduring its firm suspension on Metro Manila roads rather than opting to drive a Camry

The Cruze still needs more "merits" before I even start considering it. The petrol engine is underpowered even if it has 1800cc of displacement. This is because those "toys" like airbags, safety alphabet gizmos (ABS, SRS, etc. you get the idea) makes as if you're transporting an additional person everytime.

Don't be fooled by the 6-speed automatic. Honda's tranny is WAY smoother and better.

Interior refinement is up to par. But I'd give it a bit more time before saying whether it'll age gracefully. However, one of its biggest pluses is NVH insulation. Something the Mazda 3 lacks and the Cruze has. Like its namesake, it's meant for "cruising". It's no fun to drive but it'll take you from point A to point B comfortably. But, there's the Toyota Corolla Altis does everything the Cruze does and is better at doing it save for the face and the toys.

Given the choices, I'll go for a Jazz 1.5, a Civic 1.8, and at LS territory, the EX GLS which the engine alone makes owning one worthwhile. Interior sucks unless you're getting the MX or GT-A.

Yun parts availability ng Mazda 3 kalat yan? Parang Toyota?

[jhnkvn]

Not as rampant as Hondas or Toyotas but definitely easier to find than Cruze.

[cliphton15]

Test drive both cars and also check the following:

1. Price
2. Accessories
3. Freebies
4. Read forums on both cars to give you an idea on features/problems etc.

At the end of the day, follow your heart kung ano ba sa tingin mo ang nagustuhan mo.

Goodluck brad!

Thanks sir actually nakapili na ko and it is the Cruze LS manual pero sa april pa daw available..

[renzo_d10]

Hi guys

Just wanna seek help am planning to buy car on April and am having doubt if it is Mazda 3 1.6 S or the Cruze 1.8 LS variant?
Hope somebody help me thanks..

looks wise, feature wise and model-wise ... cruze ako.

but besides that, i'd get the mazda 3 which falls on the practicality's side. yes, it may not me as american-feeling such as the cruze but heck atleast the maintenance is way cheaper. plus, yung ano pa ... parts availability. even though may kamahalan ang parts ng mazda compared to toyota, atleast its widely available kahit sa CASA unlike the cruze which CAN take for months before CERTAIN parts to arrive tas ginto pa ang presyo.

and yeah, after-sales service is WAYYYYY better than the chevy's. I've had one ( optra ) and its such pain in the ass. Pero mabilis ha, sa rektahan.

yun lang naman.

[jhnkvn]

The Cruze is a proper driver. But there's not much fun in swinging it around the corners. Like what I said, it excels at one thing: cruising.

The Mazda, on the otherhand, sucks at cruising (NVH levels is annoying at high speeds. At 100km/h, it's very audible) but makes this up with its ability to swing it from curb to curb. Very enjoyable.. just hope there aren't potholes as those hurt you a LOT. The bite from the breaks is probably best in its category.. even Honda FD drivers say so. The Cruze? Slightly mushy..

Both are heavy, mind you. Take an elevated Quiapo bridge for example.. the Mazda would rev to 4,300RPM first to second and 3,400RPM second to third just to get moving. You're at 2,400-2,600RPM steady at speeds of 100km/h (compared to 1,800RPM of a Sonata's 2.4 Theta engine)

At the end, I'll still go for the Mazda 3. Not because I'm biased, but because it offers a value for the amount and a reputation to back it up.

Two points:
You = driver ----> Mazda3
You = passenger ---> Cruze

[eljo3025]

CASH? Mazda3
Car Loan? Cruze
Maintenance? Mazda3
Performance and Comfort? Cruze

[ghosthunter]

The CHEVY CRUZE LS is hard to fault. Hands down, it is a nice car overall package at a good reasonable price.

But if you cannot trust the casa's aftersales to support you and your car well over the next few months and years, it is something you should take note of.

[KrisKros]

As for recent the after sales of Chevy:
I had an incident where my hood needed replacement for my Cruze.
It took my insurance company about 1-2 weeks to approve.
As for Chevy... Friday, the hood was ordered, and the hood arrived today. 5 days later. They were pretty quick to respond, and very helpful.

About 3-4 years ago, we were thinking of buying a new car. the Mazda 3 was on the top of our list..atually it was our number 1 choice. We didn't end up buying a new car then due to some financial situations.
December 2010, we were again looking to buy a new car. The Mazda 3 wasn't on our list anymore because it's not really "new" anymore. There was a new Civic, New City, new Vios, new Corolla, but the Mazda 3 was still the same as it was 3-4years ago.

I chose the Cruze for the value for its money. The features of the car surpasses every car in its class. The space is big. I loved the look. Nice interior as well as exterior. And I didn't want a car that you see around every corner of the block, i didn't want a car that almost everyone has. I wanted to be a little different.

[iwas_usok]

The Cruze is a proper driver. But there's not much fun in swinging it around the corners. Like what I said, it excels at one thing: cruising.

The Mazda, on the otherhand, sucks at cruising (NVH levels is annoying at high speeds. At 100km/h, it's very audible) but makes this up with its ability to swing it from curb to curb. Very enjoyable.. just hope there aren't potholes as those hurt you a LOT. The bite from the breaks is probably best in its category.. even Honda FD drivers say so. The Cruze? Slightly mushy..

Both are heavy, mind you. Take an elevated Quiapo bridge for example.. the Mazda would rev to 4,300RPM first to second and 3,400RPM second to third just to get moving. You're at 2,400-2,600RPM steady at speeds of 100km/h (compared to 1,800RPM of a Sonata's 2.4 Theta engine)

At the end, I'll still go for the Mazda 3. Not because I'm biased, but because it offers a value for the amount and a reputation to back it up.

Two points:
You = driver ----> Mazda3
You = passenger ---> Cruze

Please tell us what is your definition of fun.

[jhnkvn]

Please tell us what is your definition of fun.

Fun is basically the connection of the road with the driver... Ask any BMW driver and they'll probably state their purchase was because of BMW's "sheer driving pleasure" slogan. Fast forward 2010, the Cruze is isolated. Not much fun to drive around but it'll suffice from getting your to point A to point B without any harshness.

Personally, I believe the Mz3 is suited for young drivers while the Cruze is suited for people who wants a relaxed ride (aka older ones :D)

Although I drive a cushioned midsized sedan, I wouldn't mind driving a Mz3 again. The 'fun' factor really drives young men to drive (tinatamad kasi tayo paminsan umalis ng bahay). There's a reason why the Mazda Miata is often considered the purist sports car of course, a step above that and I'd happily take a Porsche Boxster. Hehe..

[cliphton15]

Thanks sa lahat ng nag comment... mukang may napili na ko.. hehe i choose Chevy Cruze..Am already canvassing for the best deal.. sad thing medyo magmamahal daw ang price this April but I hope SA can give me good discount..